1960 marked the birth of the first mail-out census. Earlier censuses had used self-enumeration on a limited scale, but 1960 was the debut for this technique as a primary method for the collection of population and residential data.
The results of the 1920 census revealed a major and continuing shift of the population of the United States from rural to urban areas. No apportionment was carried out following the 1920 census; representatives elected from rural districts worked to derail the process, fearful of losing political power to the cities.
The first Federal Population Census was taken in 1790, and a census has been taken every ten years since. However, data from recent censuses are not available after 1940 because of a 72-year restriction on access to the Census.
The 1890 census promised to provide even more information on our ancestors, and it did. Unfortunately, almost all of the census returns from that year were destroyed in a fire in the U.S. Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. in 1921. However, it was too late for the 1890 census. Only fragments of it survived the fire.
The 1931 census returns, including schedules, enumeration books and plans, were completely destroyed in a fire in Hayes, Middlesex, where the census was being stored. Many precautions had been taken to protect the census, which all failed. The 1941 UK census was not taken due to World War II.
Census records are the only records that describe the entire population of the United States on a particular day. The 1940 census is no different. Some questions asked in earlier years were moved to the supplemental census, a 5 percent sampling of the population (or two people listed on every page of the census).
According to the "72-Year Rule," the National Archives releases census records to the general public 72 years after Census Day. As a result, the 1930 census records were released April 1, 2002, and the 1940 records were released April 2, 2012. The 1950 census records will be released in April 2022.
The Eleventh Census of the United States (1890) was destroyed/damaged by fire, at the Commerce Dept. in 1921. Less than 1% survived, covering 6,160 individuals. The remaining population schedules "Eleventh Census of the United States, 1890" (M407) have been microfilmed.
The 1880 decennial census was taken on five schedules: "Population," "Mortality," "Agriculture," "Social Statistics," and "Manufacturing."
The Census of 1925 was the last census taken by the State. Instructions for the enumerations taking the census have also been digitized, as well as, several preliminary reports.
Anyone will be able to view the images of the 1921 census for free online at The National Archives but original census documents will not be available in the reading rooms and there are no plans to produce microfiche.
After the 72 years have passed, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is responsible for making the records publicly available for viewing or purchase. Therefore, records from the 1950 census will be released on April 1, 2022.
The official enumeration day of the 1860 census was 1 June 1860. All questions asked were supposed to refer to that date. By 1860, there were a total of thirty-three states in the Union, with Minnesota and Oregon being the latest editions. There were no substantial state- or district-wide losses.
Data availability. The original data for the 1890 census is mostly unavailable. Congress authorized destruction of that list of records on February 21, 1933, and the surviving original 1890 census records were destroyed by government order by 1934 or 1935.
POP Culture: 1870
| The 1870 Census | 10 Largest Urban Places |
|---|
| U.S. Resident Population: | 38,558,371 | Rank |
| Population per square mile of land area: | 11.2 | 1 |
| Percent increase of population from 1860 to 1870: | 26.6 | 2 |
| Official Enumeration Date: | June 1 | 3 |
Under the '100 year rule' it is UK Government policy that the 1921 Census remain unavailable to the public until 2022. The Act, by statutory provision, prohibits the disclosure of the 1921 Census and so is immune to challenge under FOI.
We hold all of the census records from 1921 onwards, and they're closed for 100 years. Nobody can see any information about people for 100 years.
Details of the Release of the 1950 United States CensusThe National Archives releases a census to the public only 72 years after the day the census was taken. Because census day in 1950 was 1 April, the 1950 census will be released to the public on the same date in 2022.
You will see some records covered by a black line in the 1939 Register. These are the records of individuals who were born less than 100 years ago and whose death has not been registered. This is to protect their privacy if they are still alive.
The fourth census of Great Britain (that is England, Scotland and Wales) was taken on Monday 30th May 1831. The returns gave a population of 16.54 million people, an increase of 1.9 million over 1821. There were 2.85 million inhabited buildings, occupied by 3.41 million families.
A fire that destroyed census records in 1931 and the declaration of war in 1939, made the 1951 census hugely significant in recording more than 20 years of change over one of the most turbulent periods in British history.
Search 1920 Census Online
- Ancestry.com (free from NARA computers)
- Ancestry.com ($ - by subscription)
- FamilySearch.org (free with account creation)
- Fold3.com (free from NARA computers)
It is available for online searching free of charge at or Population Schedules for the 1940 Census. In order to locate someone, it may be helpful to know his or her address and the Census enumeration district in which that address was located.
